Summary
- Overwatch 2’s Defense Matrix includes features and policies to help ensure fair, fun, and welcoming matches for all players.
- This includes expanded support for mouse and keyboard on consoles, group matchmaking improvements, and robust anti-cheat and chat moderation tools.
- With over one million cheaters banned, the Overwatch team is always pushing for higher levels of competitive integrity and inclusivity.
Even on a hopeful future Earth, a little extra vigilance is needed to help ensure unwanted elements are kept at bay. That’s why there’s the Defense Matrix, Overwatch 2’s comprehensive suite of player protection and integrity systems designed to safeguard the fairness and quality of every match.
The goal is simple: make Overwatch 2 as fun, fair, and welcoming as possible for everyone. From fresh gameplay updates to robust anti-cheat measures, we’re committed to fostering a community where everyone can thrive. Let’s look into a few of the biggest initiatives we’ve rolled out since the launch of Defense Matrix.
Of Mice and Keyboards: A New Era for Console Players
A much-requested update for those of you on console introduced native Mouse and Keyboard support, allowing you to join a new Competitive environment and test your skills on an even playing field. Anyone using Mouse and Keyboard on console will now join the Mouse and Keyboard Pool (formerly the PC Pool), while those sticking with controllers remain in the Controller Pool.
To ensure fairness, those using Mouse and Keyboard must switch to the appropriate pool, or their inputs will be disabled for gameplay. Additionally, aim assist is disabled in the Competitive Mouse and Keyboard Pool, even if a controller is used. These changes aim to maintain competitive integrity while giving you the freedom to choose your preferred peripherals.
For anyone on console sticking with controllers, aim assist remains available in Cross-Play matches with PC friends. Plus, coming up in Season 20, new settings will allow you to fine-tune aim assist strength, window size, ease-in, and smoothing to better suit different play styles and heroes.
Level Up Your Competitive Play Squad
Overwatch 2 has always been a game best enjoyed with friends, but Competitive Play hasn’t always made it easy to group up if your ranks were too far apart. Enter Wide Groups, a feature that allows you to queue for Competitive matches with your friends, no matter their rank.
Wide Groups are defined by the skill gap between the highest- and lowest-ranked players in the group. For example, groups with Diamond or lower players that are more than five Skill Divisions apart, or groups with Masters players more than three Skill Divisions apart, are considered Wide Groups. Any group with a Grand Master or Champion player is also classified as a Wide Group, regardless of the skill gap.
Additionally, a new Modifier will adjust skill progression for Wide Groups, ensuring lower-ranked players aren’t unfairly boosted by higher-ranked teammates. Solo players and Narrow Groups will remain unaffected, as they’ll only be matched with others in similar situations. This change aims to reduce the need for alternate accounts and make Competitive Play more accessible for friends of all skill levels.
Chat Check: Filtering Out the Disruption
Disruptive chat and gameplay behaviors have no place in Overwatch 2. That’s why we’ve implemented Real-Time Text Moderation, a system that hides potentially harmful messages from the lobby. Anyone can choose to view and report these messages if necessary. This technology (which is also deployed in World of Warcraft) aims to make Overwatch 2 a friendlier place to play.
Our machine-learning technology continues to improve, identifying and addressing harmful behaviour in both text and voice chat. Those who engage in disruptive behaviour can expect corrective actions, including silences, suspensions, and bans. Your reports play a crucial role in building a safer environment—if you witness disruptive conduct, please take a moment to report it through the in-game tools. Every report, no matter how small, helps us uphold our commitment to a welcoming community for all players. Any offensive behaviour is still subject to strict enforcement of Blizzard’s In-Game Code of Conduct.
Swinging the Ban Hammer: Over 1 Million Cheaters Banned
Cheating undermines the competitive integrity of Overwatch 2, and we’re proud to announce that over 1 million accounts have been banned for cheating since the game’s launch. This includes players using aimbots, wallhacks, and other cheats, as well as those grouping with known cheaters. Our efforts to combat cheating are ongoing, with even more anti-cheat technologies in development to detect and block hacks more effectively.
The Overwatch team is steadfast in its mission to ensure that every match is as fair and as inclusive as possible. We’re here to help ensure that every match is determined by skill and teamwork, not unfair advantages.
Stay up to date on all of our Defense Matrix initiatives and more on the Overwatch 2 news site. Our work to safeguard fair and welcoming play is never finished; we’re constantly striving to enhance our technology, policies, and community tools in multiple ways. As we push each other and the game ever higher, we remain committed to keeping our community informed about the latest improvements—so stay sharp, remain respectful, and join us as we set new standards for competitive gaming together.
Overwatch® 2
Blizzard Entertainment
Overwatch 2 – Season 19: Haunted Masquerade
Masks, Mythics, and mayhem descend as Season 19 gets spooky with a Haunted Masquerade!
Season 19 creeps in… ambitious and cloaked in mystery! The Haunted Masquerade event introduces a spooktacular mode where mystical masks grant buffs, twisting every battle into a spectral spectacle. Then Stadium transforms under the eerie moonlight, unveiling new Heroes, a cursed map, fresh features, and match-defining Gadgets forged in shadow. Across the season, the festive spirit of Halloween stretches wide as Mythic cosmetics rise from the crypt, and a treasure trove of twisted tricks & treats awaits those brave enough to claim them. Welcome to the Haunted Masquerade, ENTER IF YOU DARE
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